The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-11-24
RAILWAY NEWS AND NOTES
Freight Agent Culp Cuts Poor Figure
Before the Interstate Commission.
War-Reading Receivership To Be Ended
on the I'd of Jan uary-Railway Notes.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 23.-The examination of
j. N. Cup, general freight agent of the
Louisville & Nashville railway, was continued
before the Interstatecommerce Commission this
morning. in cornection with the Standard Oil
cases. The witness hssitated great deal in
giving his testimony. and showed in many re-
spects lack of knowledge Of the dates and
other matters in his department. about which be
questioned. In explanation. or rs he termed
IT, in justice to himself, he finally said that the
chief man in his Office was in i'll health. and that
ne 1.-THE witness) had taken steps to have all
matters respecting the arrangement and publi-
cation of rates made clear. He averred with
emphasis that there was purpose on the part
Of his company to conceal anything.
The chairman questioned the witness for half
an hour respecting printed tariff sheet issued
by the witness. giving. among other informa-
ton, the rates upon OIL
The witness admitted that the actual oil rates
were not those given on the sheet. but were
special rates, issued from time to time and
posted in station houses. The purpose of the
chairman was TO ascertain how a shipper could
learn from the company's publications what
were the acrual rates oil. The witness re-
piled At great length. but failed to make the
matter clear to any one The chairman finally
advised the witness to take counsel with the at
torney of his road as to whether he was comply
ing with the fifth section of the interstate-com-
merce law respecting the publication of rates
and the filing of copies with the commission.
The witness promised effusively that the mat
ter should receive his earliest attention when
he got home. It was developed that the wit
nesss road owned the forty SIX cars upon which
the Standard Oil Company had placed tanks.
These care not open for the of any
others than the Standard Oil Company. Il was
further developed that since April D. witness had
refused TO give Mr.. Rice 1.-THE complananD any
rates upon oil from Louisville to Nash
repeated applications by letter; but had
invariably referred Mr.. Rice to the agent OF the
connecting line at Cincinnati, and had at times
accompanied this reference with some rather
forcible expressions of opinion. Following this
the witness said, in reply to an inquiry, that the
rate had never been 81 80 per barrel upon oil
counsel produced a letter from Brent
Arnold, the Cincinnati agent to whom
the witness referred Mr.. Rice, which
letter. dated May II. quoted rates from Cincin-
natl to Louisville at ST. 80, and another of SIM
liar purporr. dated Sept. L The witness thought
the first mistake but on the production of the
based upon the local rate of 40 cents from Gin
cinpati to Louisville and 80 cents from Louis
Vile to Nashville. The rates given the Standard
Oil Company were 25 cents q 100 pounds, a
barrel being reckoned at 375 pounds.
The Attitude OF the Grand Trunk.
NEW YORK, Nov. 23-The meeting of the
trunk-line presidents at Commissioner Fink's Of
fee, yesterday, is generally considered the most
important that has been held for long time.
There was no representative present from the
Grand Trunk. although this omission did not
represent defiance by that road. General Man
ager dickson wrote to Commissioner Fink that
an engagement in Boston prevented bis personal
attendance. He assured the Commissioner that
his road had no desire to provoke hostities with
the American lines or to demoralize the general
situation; on the contrary. he said that the
Grand Trunk desired to cooperate with the
Trunk line Association wherever il could do SO
without preiudicing its interests. Helf of Mr..
Hickson's letter was for peace and half for war.
Hickeon declares that his road cannot recede
from it's present position, and will require
dlfferential rate in its favor. In con-
c1uslon, he expresses desire to confer
with the Commissioner on the situation, and says
that he will come to New York in few days,
or will be glad to meet Mr.. Fink in Montreal.
So far as Mr.. Hicksons letter related to export
rates. the trunk-line presidents after discussion,
decided that no further action was needed, but
it was voted to approve the previous action of
the standing committee and to order another
reduction in rates dressed meats and cattle
to meet the new reduction of cents per 100
pounds which the Grand Trunk ordered
be followed down by the American
roads as far as it reduces rates. they feel that
an important principle Is at stake. Involving the
future stability of the situation. They feel
that il it conceded that any competing
line could establish it's own differential rates
without consultation with the other lines, the
wedge would be entered for general dsrup-
ton The new rates represent . reduction of
10 per cent The Tribune saws: "lt is not be-
lieved in railroad circles that the reductions can
be stopped here. The Grand Trunk is expected
make another cut. and the commissioner of
the trunk lines will order the American rates
down. The trunk lines believe that the harder the
contest the quicker the Grand Trunk will realize
the determination of the American lines re-
sist ts claims and will the sooner be brought
to consent TO arbitration In view Of the Grand
Trunks attitude on export rates, it is hoped to
confine the quarrel to the dressed beef and live
stock traffic.
Beginning Better Life.
Under the above heading, in commenting on
the recent election of directors of the Baltimore
& Ohio road, the New York Commercial Adver-
tiser says: f'It may prove to be the opening of
epoch that shall bring joy to all con-
cerned. Within the year the stock OF the COM
pany has deprecated So per cent, two of its side